Photography Question From An Amateur

[bluesoul]

I've been told as well the lighting makes the difference more than the equipment. Take the picture below; I snapped it back in 2010 with my Canon SX10is...which is basically a fancy point-and-shoot. I lucked out with the light; it had rained the previous evening and the skies were clear. No tripod, but I did (just recently) fiddle around with the colors and such in Adobe Lightroom.

[bluesoul]

I took a photography class at a community college..

i can only imagine how interesting that photography class was

[Willie Escalade]

I know, I know...

[bubbski]

A few quick tips I've picked up:
1) Shoot RAW. The raw file has many more bits of detail that you can use to coerce the exposure you want after the fact. An 8-bit jpeg can represent around 16 million colors, whereas a high bit-depth file can represent over 28 billion. In post processing you can use those bits to increase detail in the bright and/or the dark areas. In your case, I'd go for a darker exposure in the camera so as not to blow out the highlights, and adjust the RAW file in post processing to get the look you desire.

2) Every lens has an aperture that gives the best detail, in most cases neither fully open or closed. If you are not happy with the detail you are getting in auto mode, use aperture priority and set the opening to f5.6 to f8. This is usually where most kit lenses give their best resolution. If this is your lens, the test results show it should have excellent sharpness regardless.
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikko...3556vr?start=1

3) If your camera has the mode where it takes three consecutive shots, and adjusts the exposure -1, 0 and +1 for the group, this may help you decide where the sweet spot is for your gear. If the -1 setting gives a consistently better result, then use it for the combination of the camera and this lens.

I hope this helps!

[MacShreach]

A few quick tips I've picked up:
1) Shoot RAW. The raw file has many more bits of detail that you can use to coerce the exposure you want after the fact. An 8-bit jpeg can represent around 16 million colors, whereas a high bit-depth file can represent over 28 billion. In post processing you can use those bits to increase detail in the bright and/or the dark areas. In your case, I'd go for a darker exposure in the camera so as not to blow out the highlights, and adjust the RAW file in post processing to get the look you desire.

2) Every lens has an aperture that gives the best detail, in most cases neither fully open or closed. If you are not happy with the detail you are getting in auto mode, use aperture priority and set the opening to f5.6 to f8. This is usually where most kit lenses give their best resolution. If this is your lens, the test results show it should have excellent sharpness regardless.
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikko...3556vr?start=1

3) If your camera has the mode where it takes three consecutive shots, and adjusts the exposure -1, 0 and +1 for the group, this may help you decide where the sweet spot is for your gear. If the -1 setting gives a consistently better result, then use it for the combination of the camera and this lens.

I hope this helps!

Although it is true that taking lenses are designed to be sharpest at 3-4 stops down, if your lens won't produce an acceptably sharp print at maximum aperture--and I mean a decent-sized print, say 20x16, then get a new lens. This is one of the main reasons why good lenses are so expensive btw. There are many occasions when you need to use max aperture, especially on a DX sized sensor, in order to defocus the background, or in low light. If your lens can't do this, it's not up to snuff.

[Jamie French]

Krissy... you're not going to get the answer you want to hear. Auto functions will only ever yield pedestrian results. You have to learn how to use the things you spent good money on. There is no short cut that'll give you the results you are looking for. I know what kind of stuff you are shooting and it shouldn't take any more than a couple minutes to set up your camera to shoot the things you need... (manual mode doesn't necessarily mean reconfiguring your settings for each and every shot.) If you are truly interested in the quality of your images know that every question you have has been answered in countless, easy to digest youtube videos. More importantly is knowing what questions to ask that'll get you closer to your goals even quicker... I'll save you the problem of that catch 22 by telling you right now. Lighting. Learn all about it as it relates to portraiture, modeling, shooting out doors. As you learn you will start to connect the dots between your light source, your subject, your lens and your sensor. Also, get Adobe Lightroom.

[BigDF]

Krissy... you're not going to get the answer you want to hear. Auto functions will only ever yield pedestrian results. You have to learn how to use the things you spent good money on. There is no short cut that'll give you the results you are looking for. I know what kind of stuff you are shooting and it shouldn't take any more than a couple minutes to set up your camera to shoot the things you need... (manual mode doesn't necessarily mean reconfiguring your settings for each and every shot.) If you are truly interested in the quality of your images know that every question you have has been answered in countless, easy to digest youtube videos. More importantly is knowing what questions to ask that'll get you closer to your goals even quicker... I'll save you the problem of that catch 22 by telling you right now. Lighting. Learn all about it as it relates to portraiture, modeling, shooting out doors. As you learn you will start to connect the dots between your light source, your subject, your lens and your sensor. Also, get Adobe Lightroom.

Thank you proving my earlier point, Jamie.

[GroobyKrissy]

Krissy... you're not going to get the answer you want to hear. Auto functions will only ever yield pedestrian results. You have to learn how to use the things you spent good money on. There is no short cut that'll give you the results you are looking for. I know what kind of stuff you are shooting and it shouldn't take any more than a couple minutes to set up your camera to shoot the things you need... (manual mode doesn't necessarily mean reconfiguring your settings for each and every shot.) If you are truly interested in the quality of your images know that every question you have has been answered in countless, easy to digest youtube videos. More importantly is knowing what questions to ask that'll get you closer to your goals even quicker... I'll save you the problem of that catch 22 by telling you right now. Lighting. Learn all about it as it relates to portraiture, modeling, shooting out doors. As you learn you will start to connect the dots between your light source, your subject, your lens and your sensor. Also, get Adobe Lightroom.

Without looking, can you please tell me what I've already stated about the lighting I use? Also, I've already stated that I have Adobe Lightroom. Also, I've already stated why I don't use the manual modes.

You have your way of "advertising" here... I have mine. I have a mild interest in photography. If I had more of an interest, believe me, I have the resources and smarts to do it properly.

I was just looking to start a conversation, welcome someone into the forum via inclusion, and pick up a few tips along the way.

The answer to my question was actually already stated, and thus I haven't had any further pertinent input to the thread until now.

[Jamie French]

I'll answer your actual questions directly.

1. Is it impossible to get crystal clear clarity when using a tripod / timer like I do when taking pictures?

ANSWER: No.

2. Are the auto-settings just not good enough or am I doing something wrong to get the washed out places and grainy pictures?

ANSWER: Yes.

I am not a big believer in heavy post-production besides adjusting colors a bit. I shoot on the highest quality JPEG setting. Is RAW that much better?

ANSWER: Yes.

Without looking, can you please tell me what I've already stated about the lighting I use? Also, I've already stated that I have Adobe Lightroom. Also, I've already stated why I don't use the manual modes.

You have your way of "advertising" here... I have mine. I have a mild interest in photography. If I had more of an interest, believe me, I have the resources and smarts to do it properly.

I was just looking to start a conversation, welcome someone into the forum via inclusion, and pick up a few tips along the way.

The answer to my question was actually already stated, and thus I haven't had any further pertinent input to the thread until now.

[Ecstatic]

And....that picture desperately needs fill but not from the camera position but over to the right, deep, to lift the shadows which, when the highlight skin is exposed correctly, will be very dark. A reflector on one of your pods would transform it

Good advice, addressing a specific problem area directly and accurately. A fill light on a tripod mounted to the right would also serve; this could be a flash on a slave or an LED for continuous lighting (color temperature could be a problem though).